Topic: In Memory

Louis Vincent Albano, better known as Captain Lou Albano to professional wrestling fans, died this morning at age 76 as the result of an undisclosed illness. Albano had been under hospice care in Miami prior to his death.

Albano was a professional wrestler, manager and actor. With an over-the-top personality and a flare for boisterous declarations, Albano was a pioneer of the antagonistic wrestling manager in the 1980's. Throughout his forty-two-year career Albano guided 15 different tag teams and 4 singles competitors to championship gold.

Albano played Cyndi Lauper's father in her "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" video and also appeared in subsequent Lauper videos including "She Bop", "Time After Time" and "The Goonies 'R' Good Enough".

Below is a clip from Pro Wrestling Illustrated of the always rambunctious Albano trading insults with managing foe Paul E. Dangerously:

Read more about the life of Lou Albano...

Topic: Hollywood

With the return of FOX's series Fringe (airing Thursdays 9:00 EST) we had the opportunity to talk a guest star of the series and living sci-fi legend, Leonard Nimoy. Nimoy plays the role of William Bell, one of the show's most mysterious characters. He answered some of our questions about his new role on the show, what it was like to be back in the spotlight and his recent work on several J.J. Abrams projects.

Gamesville:  Did you have any reservations on taking another role with the potential of such a fanatic following?

Nimoy: I love this question. I can’t help but laugh and you’re absolutely right because it’s an interesting set of circumstances. What attracted me to it was several things: J.J. Abrams, Bob Orci, and Alex Kurtzman, all of whom I worked with on the Star Trek movie. I admire their talent and the work that they do and the series they are creating is at the very least to say intriguing. The character was somewhat of a blank slate, but we began talking about it and, therefore, I was attracted because there’s an opportunity to build an interesting and unpredictable character. I’m enjoying it a lot.

Can you tell us a little bit more about your relationship with J.J. Abrams having now worked on the new Star Trek the movie and now his series Fringe?

Well I first met him about three years ago when he first contacted me about the possibility of working together, and I went to a meeting with he and Bob Orci and Alex Kurtzman and some of his production staff. They told me a very good and strong and touching story about their feelings about Star Trek and specifically the Spock character. I felt very good about it and went to work for them.

I had a great time working on the movie. I think they did a brilliant job, and I think the audience response shows that that was the case and has reinvigorated the franchise. And when they contacted me about working on Fringe--the same people, the same attitude, the same creativity, the same creative team--it was very enticing.

Had you been a fan of the show prior to being cast?

I watched it periodically. I think it’s extremely well done, it's very nuanced and extremely complex. It’s a mixture of science and science fiction in a very interesting and intelligent way. And I think it has a long way to go in story-telling. It tells a terribly interesting story and the character that I was offered was potentially a very intriguing and controversial and fascinating character which is very inviting for an actor.

Having stepped away from the spotlight for awhile and now having returned, have your feelings about acting changed in any way?

I did not expect to be acting so much at this time in my life, but I’m having a wonderful time doing it. I’m very comfortable in the two offers that I’ve accepted. The Star Trek movie was a joy to do. I admire the production team that made the film. I admire the new cast and I thought Zachary Quinto was a great choice for the new Spock. It was a pleasure to work with him and with all the other people on the project.

The Fringe character was intriguing because, as I’ve mentioned, it was kind of a blank slate and we had some very interesting and intense conversations about who and what he could be and how we should perceive him. It's really been about what we might or might not learn about him and why we might or might not trust about him. These are intriguing opportunities for an actor and because the team piqued my interest I went back to work.

When will your character William Bell and his former partner Walter Bishop face off?

Unpredictable at the moment. In the upcoming episodes we will learn a lot, more than we have known in the past, about Bell and Olivia's relationship, what is all about and what William Bell’s intentions are--or at least we will be told what his intentions are. We’re not really quite sure that everything that he says is accurate or true.

What do you think of Anna Torv, the star of Fringe, as an actor and as a person?

I think she’s really excellent in the role. We spent a bit of time working together and I was impressed with the way she works. I’ve seen quite a bit of her work on the screen. I think she handles a very wide range of activities, from very internalized psychological questions to very physical stuff. She’s very competent and very interesting to watch. I think she’s terrific.

Final question, do you believe William Bell is evil or good?

That’s a really wonderful question. Time will tell.

Fringe airs Thursdays, at 9:00 p.m. Eastern/Pacific Time on FOX.

Topic: Weird Wire™

Two thugs tried to rough up a pair of transvestites and got a lot more than they bargained for--when their intended victims turned out to be cage fighters on a "guys night out" in dresses. The two drunken troublemakers had been aggressive with random individuals in Swansea City centre, in Wales, UK. But when the hooligans tried hassling a couple of cross-dressed men, they instantly regretted it: The blonde and brunette smacked down the hoodlums--and closed circuit television captured it all on tape. See the video and read the full story at the Daily Mail...

Topic: Best Pets
This week's Best Pet comes to us from Gamesviller Whitemicedotnet of East Providence, RI. Meet her best buddy Felix!

Distinguishing Personality Traits

Whitemicedotnet says, "This is my wonderful kitty Felix. Now this may sound weird to some but Felix has been my best friend for thirteen years now. Felix is a diabetic and this past May I almost lost him due to his extremely low blood sugar. His favorite play game is fetch where we just throw his little rubber ball and he brings it back every time. For some reason he's developed some odd habits for a cat as his favorite food is pea soup. I just adore my main man Felix!"

Want to share photos of your own favorite pet with the Gamesville community?

Send photos to: members@gamesville.com

In addition to your pet's picture, please be sure to include:

• Your Gamesville member name
• Your pet's most distinguishing personality trait

If we publish your pet as a "Best Pet," we'll give you 5,000 GV Rewards. Submit your pet today!

Congratulations to Gamesviller Kyoung123 of Jesup, GA, who cashed in a whopping $1,554 jackpot TODAY playing Magic 21. Besides being a full time nursing student this member enjoys playing Gamesville games and winning DOUBLE jackpots by virtue of being a savvy GV Gold member.

Useless Facts!

Kyoung123 originates from Jesup, GA, a town whose origin is highly disputed. Some contend the name originated from the name of General Thomas S. Jesup, a hero from the American Indian War who captured Osceola, the Seminole Indian Chief, in 1837. Others argue that the town was named for Morris K Jessup, a New York railroad financer who saved the railroad from possible bankruptcy. Learn more about Jesup, GA...

Topic: Hollywood

With the start of Dollhouse's season two on FOX we got a chance to sit down with the series' star Eliza Dushku. We caught up with the leading lady to talk about her character's progression through the next season and her continued interest in working on Joss Whedon projects. Be sure catch up and read our interview with Joss Whedon from last week.

Gamesville:  How do you feel the direction of this season is different from the first one?

Eliza: Well, there’s so much being cracked open and explored, especially with Echo having this new place that she’s in. She had all of the personalities downloaded into her in one swift punch and they’re not going away. So every pick up this year she’s still tapping into these personalities. Sometimes it’s not in her control and other times it is.  But overall she’s really absorbing things from her engagements and from the dollhouse. She’s really becoming self-aware, but not necessarily as Caroline, but as Echo. So it’s definitely complicated.

It’s a little darker all around. We’ll explore some things like the origins of some of the other dolls and the other characters. And then bringing in a bunch of guest stars and fabulous people.

How much closer Echo will get to rediscovering her true self this season?

Every single episode it’s been a little bit more. She really is becoming an entirely different character in many ways because she is getting sort of farther away from Caroline, even though Caroline is still her original self.

The development of the character Echo has just been so exciting and so fascinating because the way our writers and the way Joss can pick pieces from each of her experiences and weave them into this new character is just fascinating. So you’ll absolutely see a whole new Echo this season.

Is there a particular role or character that was kind of hard for you to get into, and if so, why?

Playing a mother was certainly something I hadn’t expected. I’m an auntie and I’ve always loved other people’s children and babies. Playing a mother and trying to tap into that maternal instinct was a challenge, but also a thrill and a beautiful thing.

What trouble will Echo run into in her attempts to save everyone?

I’m sure all kinds because it’s a Joss Whedon show. There are so many directions and so many layers, it’s all over the map. Of course a main story line is Agent Ballard, who spent last season trying to get into the dollhouse. Now that he’s in and assisting as Echo’s handler he’s working with her and they may possibly be trying to bring the dollhouse down from the inside out.

Joss mentioned that Echo will be looking for allies and maybe form some kind of a team. Could you give un any details on Echo is looking for?

Yes. Absolutely. She is looking for allies because as she is becoming aware of her surroundings and what’s going on. All of these personalities that are creeping up and out of her put her in an entirely vulnerable place because if wrong person catches on to what she’s experiencing she could be done forever. She’s being very careful with the tools and the knowledge that she has gained to sort of sniff out who she can trust, who she can manipulate, who she can use.

Agent Ballard was trying all last season to get into the dollhouse and now that he’s in it remains to be seen if he can be trusted. But in the beginning of the season it seems like there’s a pretty strong connection there. Then with the introduction of the other dollhouse and some of the other players, it’s just makes more of a maze for Echo to navigate and to find her way through, realizing that one wrong, one bad step and she’s done.

What’s the dynamic like between you and newcomer Summer Glau?

She’s great, I love her! We’ve had such a good time filming these last two episodes. She just has come in with her A game; she’s just a sweet, positive, fun actress. Our characters have some back story that we have to fight out, and so that's a lot of fun. Joss has brought in some of his favorite people to the show so I always can pretty much safely know that we’re going to have the cream of the crop coming in.

What do you like about working with Joss and doing his shows?

I would say, first and foremost, that I just love the guy as a friend. He’s been a friend, a brother, a teacher and a mentor. Obviously he is just incredibly talented. His skill is so beautiful to me and he’s just wildly creative, smart, funny, dark, scary and twisted--he just combines it all into such a sweet little package that he gets me every time.

Dollhouse airs Fridays, at 9:00 p.m. Eastern/Pacific Time on FOX.

We like to think of our Gamesville members as savvy gamers who know a good deal when they see it. Which is why it's no surprise that the last FOUR jackpots in Quick-Draw Poker have been won by members who knew they could DOUBLE up their cash by signing up for a GV Gold Membership. With added benefits such as ad-free gaming and daily Instant Win games, now more than ever it pays to go gold. Congratulations to all four of our Quick-Draw Poker winners from this weekend:

Topic: Weird Wire™

Miyuki Hatoyama, wife of Japan’s newly elected Prime Minister, has stunned the world with her comments about UFO abduction and her past-life relationship with Tom Cruise. Hatoyama, 66, claims that her spirit was whisked away to Venus 20 years ago while she was napping. She stated that this type of astral projection was done via a triangular UFO. In addition to having unexpected tourist visits to Venus, Mrs Hatoyama has also indulged in nostalgic memories of her previous lives. In fact, she believes that she was best buds with Last Samurai actor, Tom Cruise, in another lifetime. Read the full story at Time.com...

Topic: Members
Congratulations to Gamesviller Crowell-ladycats of Crowell, TX, who cashed in a whopping $1,416 jackpot TODAY playing Magic 21. Besides playing Gamesville games (and winning DOUBLE jackpots) this organ-playing mother of three enjoys reading and spending time with her family.

Useless Facts!

Crowell-ladycats's hometown of Crowell, TX, is also the home of Dick Todd Field, named after the former football star who went to high school in Crowell before setting long-standing records as a running back for Texas A&M University. Todd later went on to play for, and eventually coach, the Washington Redskins. As a member of the Redskins in 1940 Todd ran in four TDs, caught four TD passes and ran back a punt for a touchdown. Learn more about Crowell, TX...

Topic: News

This month we're giving away the chance to win a new HP Mini Netbook! This netbook's lightweight design makes it simple to surf the Web, email, IM and video chat at home, at work and on the go. Type emails and documents easily using a nearly full-size keyboard, plus watch online videos with its widescreen display. With built-in Wi-Fi this netbook has the performance you need to surf the web and use your standard software apps -- but is light enough to carry everywhere at just 2.57 lbs. Travel light and stay connected with this ultra-portable HP Mini 110 this month at Gamesville.

Last Month's Winner

Congratulations to Waynetippett of Hamilton, Ontario, who won our Apple iPod Touch in last month's monthly GV Rewards sweepstakes.